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Local Group # 120 Contacts:

President, Editor, Publicity

Judy Keating 518/895-2513

MensaONNY@aol. Com

1054 Main Street, Delanson, NY 12053

Vice-President

Victor Ovalle 518/492-7659

Sec/Treas & Membership

Priscilla Sweet 518/864-5366

9637 Mariaville Rd, Pattersonville NY 12137

Webmaster Joe O'Malley

Proctors

Joe O'Malley

Priscilla Sweet 518/864-5366

Charmi Miller 518/272-1686

Victor O'Valle 518/492-7659

Oracle of Transportation to Mensa Events for the Non-driver

Lisa Repko 518/482-0459

S.I.G.H.T. Bruce Allen 518/732-2437

bmaabc@aol.com

Speakers Charmi Miller 518/272-1686

Circulation Manager and Historian

Leo Kellogg 518/598-1322

Gifted Children Mary Jane Rubinski 518/843-0444

Opportunities:

Scholarship, Publicity, Event Hosts

Welcome New to Our Group Member:

Shauwn McClintic of Glenville, formerly of Lakewood, Ohio

President's Letter

Hello,

Well, Harry and I are back from vacationing aboard a 90 + foot schooner in the Penobscot Bay of Maine for a week. Our time aboard the Mary Day was even more picturesque than the brochures. I'll see if Joe wants to put some pictures on our web site. In Camden, Maine Harry exercised his pocillovy hobby and we needed to rearrange the china cabinet upon our return home. He has also been nominated to be editor in chief of the most prestigious non-destructive physics journal in the industry, and The American Academy of Thermology awarded him their Sir William Herschel Award for lifetime achievement. Sir William was the first astronomer royal of England and the discoverer of infra red light. He did this seeing a rainbow created by a prism and held a thermometer past the visible light and ta-da, there was heat on that there red side. Harry also… finally… has had part of his galaxy work accepted for publication in the Journal of Mathematical Physics. Quite a guy, huh?

Bob Black, sometimes host of NTN Trivia nights at O'Toole's is leaving us to pursue a higher education in Buffalo. Good Luck Bob.

Jim Brearton has taken up the gauntlet and is running for County Legislature in Rensselaer County. Unbeknownst to him I've put an excerpt of an email later on in this newsletter. Jim is one of those members that I feel has worked to better our organization by hosting our golf and tennis tournaments and holding the art exhibit. Good luck Jim, I'd vote for you if I could.

Another local Mensa member made famous in the December 13^th Times Union article, Anthony Rossi, is braving the big city and bright lights to try out for "Beauty and the Geek II". Previously we had two members try out for the then unknown reality TV show, I didn't see any familiar names but enjoyed the series. I heard there was one Mensa member contestant but I don't think he was from our group. Good luck Anthony!

On a sort of funny note. Victor O'Valle, our VP and proctor of the great white north (Plattsburg) gave an observed test this past May which was his final requirement to become Mensa certified. On that same day I was signing the recertification papers for Joe and Priscilla as they had been notified that Mensa wanted all current proctors to be recertified. Victor was notified that his application was accepted and shortly after that was told that he was in jeopardy of loosing that certification because he didn't recertify. I don't know that anyone was allowed to recertify before certifying in the first place. Silly me.

Happy Autumn!

Judy Keating, Madame President

RVC's Letter

What's Cooking in Region 1

July brought lots of good news and a bit of sadness to our region. Beginning with the positive: the Annual Gathering (AG) in New Orleans was great, even though it was sandwiched between two hurricanes, Cindy and Dennis. Although some chose to leave early, Dennis did not hit The Big Easy as earlier predicted, but flights were delayed or in some cases cancelled

on departure day Sunday.

I have appointed an Assistant Regional Vice Chairwoman, Claire Natola (New Hampshire & Maine Mensa, NH&MM). Her appointment was approved at the AMC (American Mensa Committee - Mensa's board of directors) business meeting held during the AG. A Mensan for less than three years, she has already shown signs of leadership, determination, and most importantly, a willingness to take initiative. As a resident in the northern part of Region 1, she will be a valuable presence. I believe it is imperative that members of her generation be mentored and groomed for Mensa's future.

The Granite State also contributed another AMC member, that of Development Officer. I was pleased to second the motion to appoint John Sheehan, Ph.D. who is currently the Public Relations officer for NH&MM. Dr. Sheehan will be working to make the Mensa "brand" one of which we can all be proud, and hopefully encourage more folks to become members.

The Region 1 plaudits were many at the Awards Luncheon:

- The American Mensa Awards Committee recognized Joe Zanca (NH&MM) for his outstanding service at the national level with a Distinguished Service Award including life membership.

- The ABBIE Proctor of the Year Committee bestowed a Regional Honourable Mention for the second time to Clotilde Cepeda former Proctor Coordinator of Greater New York Mensa (GNYM). Through her kindness, courtesy and superior organizational skills, Cloty has demonstrated how important a good proctor is to the recruitment and retention of new members.

- CultureQuest® XVI had teams of Mensans from the U.S. and Canada who matched wits, with the top twenty groups winning money for their local group. A tip o' the hat to Misha's Vineyard Players, under the leadership of Greg Draves (GNYM) who placed 9th overall.

- The Publications Recognition Program (PRP) presented Angela Tremain (Mid-Hudson Mensa) its Best Newsletter (Small Group) Award for her editorship of the Mid-Mensan. Angela's winning of the Recognition Award last year seemed to have inspired her to set even higher standards, which did not go unnoticed.

- A Mensa Recognition Award was presented to Claire Natola, the editor of NH&MM's Momentum. This was Claire's first volunteer "opportunity" and in less than two years under her editorship, the fruits of her labours have been recognized nationally.

I am pleased to report that Mary Jo Kelleher (Mensa of the

Southern Tier) has generously agreed to volunteer once again as Region 1's Scholarship Chair. Mary Jo will be coordinating with local groups' scholarship committees to forward their selections that merit regional and/or national evaluation.

It is with deep sadness that I note the deaths of Frederic "Fred" Carlin (GNYM) and Stuart "Stu" Lucas (Northern New Jersey Mensa). Fred's passion was Mensa, as anyone who was a recipient of his emails or telephone calls can attest. Stu's verbal wit was unsurpassed. Both men will be missed.

It has been said that where people eat garlic, happiness abounds. The garlic specialties of the Provence region of France are renown, and aïoli (eye-oh-LEE) is the most famous. Aïoli is the name of a dish and also the sauce which accompanies it. The sauce contains twelve (or more) cloves of garlic. The dish consists of an assortment of poached salt cod (bacalao), quartered tomatoes, steamed vegetables (e.g. zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, artichokes, chick peas: served hot or room temperature) and hard-boiled eggs. Purists serve snails as well. I am not a purist.

AÏOLI

12* (or more: I use an entire head) cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced

4 egg yolks

1 Tbl. boiling water

1/2 Tbl. salt (or to taste)

Ground white pepper to taste

1 1/4 cups peanut oil*

1 cup olive oil

1 Tbl. (approx.) lemon juice

1. Place garlic in large bowl and add egg yolks. Beat with whisk or electric mixer.

2. Add water, salt and pepper rapidly.

3. Add peanut oil, drop by drop, until more than half has been added. (Mixture will be thick.)

4. Continue to beat mixture as the rest of the peanut oil and all of the olive oil are added by pouring in a thin stream. (If you have someone to do the pouring, so much the better.)

5. Beat in the lemon juice.

*For a milder taste, use less garlic and/or vegetable oil (e.g. safflower)

Marghretta

Region 1 Vice Chair, American Mensa Ltd.

537 West 49th Street #20

New York, NY 10019

212.757.5143 RCV1@us. mensa.org

http://region1.us.mensa.org/

Campaigning Co-Member

By Jim Brearton

Yes, I am running for office. I've been nominated by the Democrats to run for County Legislature in District 3 (Brunswick, Schaghticoke and Pittstown), in Rensselaer County. I am also running in a Conservative primary in September. I will be a write in candidate then. I'm hoping to call on MoNNY brain trust, to perhaps figure out how to pull rabbit out of hat, as I face 2 to 1 enrollment deficit. My main goal is to lower taxes, improve roads and maintain property values for homeowners.

Jim didn't ask me to print this but he sent it to me and I'm the editor…so there. Judy

Witzelsucht

By Willard Hoyt

I am now working part time in the Schodack Town Park on Rt.150 east of Rts. 9 & 20. Rt. 150 by the park is closed at present for the replacement of a bridge. Going east it is blocked at a side road that forms a detour. Going west the block is at the bottom of a long hill and although there are signs stating that the road ends ahead when I am working in that part I see at frequent intervals vehicles rolling down the hill. About a

minute later the same one is driving up the hill. It reminds me of the inadequate airport in Hong Kong that at any time had a plane either landing or taking off.

A man returned a sun dial to the store because it lacked a minute hand.

Good Wine Cheap

(and good food to go with it)

By John Grover

This month we go far a field to find wine that is both good and cheap. With rising gas prices and the general inflation that Washington, D.C. claims is not really happening, it is getting increasingly difficult to find acceptable inexpensive wine. My old limit of $10 a bottle is being strongly challenged. But, Argentina, Spain, Chile and Eastern Europe all hold forth the hope of decent wine at a reasonable price. This month's recipe continues our crusade to contend with all those pesky vegetables that show up this time of year.

The wine this month is from Eastern Europe. And, I must say that my experience with much of the wine that has been imported to the U.S. from this region in the past has not been worthy of recommendation. BUT, with this wine, au contraire. It is a 2003 Aligote' grape from a producer called Corten located in the Cahul region of Moldava near the Black Sea. This simple light dry wine has a nose and taste that both clearly emote spice and flowers. It is a perfect wine for those late Summer and Fall evenings while contemplating the end of the day on the back porch. This wine should retail for between $6 to $8 a bottle.

Zucchini with Rosemary

Ingredients: 2 small or 1 medium zucchini sliced; 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1 clove of garlic minced or crushed; 2 or 3 sprigs of fresh Rosemary; salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

Add the olive oil to a non stick pan. Add the zucchini, garlic and the Rosemary that has been stripped from the sprig and sauté' for 5 to 10 minutes (until it just starts to go limp). Add salt and pepper.

I hope that you will contact me with your comments and favorite wines at jgrover@berk.com. I will be happy to share them with the broader Mensa group.

John Grover is a member of Mensa of Northeastern New York. He lives with his wife Sharon in the Hudson Valley of New York.

Local Event Highlights

Newcomers dinner date is still on the move.

First Friday Lunch is an orphan (temporarily?)

Local Events

Friday, September 2^nd: First Friday Lunch Bunch at the Colonie Center Mall food court. Corner of Wolf Road & Central Ave in, of all places, Colonie. Our regular host, Heather, is off to defend her thesis in Iowa and won't be able to host this event for September and October. You're on your own but Leo will is often in attendance.

Saturday, September 10^th: Your local group will have a regular Executive Committee meeting via conference call. Please let one of us know of any items for our agenda prior to that. This includes any funding requests.

Thursday, September 15^th: Bulletin deadline for items to be included in the next bulletin!!!

Tuesday, September 20^th: Newcomers Dinner at the Van Dyck or somewhere close by. The Van Dyck's address is 237 Union Street, Schenectady, near the corner of Union & Erie but we never know when they might problems so our fall back position is Pin Head Susan's at the corner of Liberty and Broadway, 40 North Broadway, Schenectady, NY, a couple of blocks away. We meet at 6ish or 6:15 or heck, Ms are know to arrive as late as 7 ish, we can't decide, we order at about 6:15. The restaurant's host or hostess knows who we are, or at least has been told, and Harry, our host, looks an awful lot like Albert Einstein which this makes us easy to find. Call Harry at 895-2513 or email ringerha@crd.ge.com for information or encouragement. New and old members are welcome. The Van Dyck is (518) 381-1111. Pinhead Susan's is (518) 346-6431.

Friday, September 23^rd: Convivial Conversation at Borders' Book Store, Wolf Road Colonie, Friday at 6pm. This is an informal gathering we consider to be the best place to discuss and brainstorm new ideas. Meet at the rear of the store on the second floor, in the coffee and tea area. Contact Willard Hoyt for information at 732-2390.

Wednesday, September 28^th: Label Lunacy / Folding Frenzy followed by libations. On or close to the fourth from the last day of the month. Guilderland Public Library, on Route 20. 6:00 p.m. We spend about an hour stapling and sticking labels on these delightful bulletins you enjoy each month.

Lately, inspired by a power failure and our having folded, stapled, stamped, and posted your newsletters on the benches outside the library (there is not length we won't go to for our fellow Ms) we moved dinner further down Route 20 for dinner. If was good then so we've decided to take dinner on the road again. Guess that means you'll have to slog to grog. Call Judy 895-2513 or Leo for info and encouragement.

Birthdays

Lt Col Charles W Raymond III, the 1st

Bonnie A Beebe, the 5th

Hank Simpson, the 6th

Richard W Hrubecky, the 7th

Charles T Raymond, the 15th

Paul Tobler, the 16th

Mr Garth J Houde, the 17th

J Buckley Bryan Jr, the 19th

John H Hornberger Jr, the 19th

Chandler Frantz, the 24th

Walter Post, the 26th

Kelly Egan, the 27th

Mrs Marilyn B Houde, the 27th

Mensa Anniversaries

Mr Robert H Sloan, 29 years

Jeri L Bousman, 22 years

Nan Ellen Desorrento, 22 years

Mr Karl Martin Muller, 19 years

Kenneth J Kelly, 16 years

Pamela Smith Lenox, 11 years

Mary Jane Rubinski, 8 years

Richard Stephen Costello, 4 years

Richard Moody, 3 years

Georgia H Bowerman, 2 years

Ethan A Bowerman, 2 years

Todd Brasel, 2 years

Alfred Concemi, 2 years

C Lynn Kiaer, 2 years

Peter McKee, 1 year

Colloquium 2006 Update by Judy Keating

Our colloquium plan has now been approved in more detail by the ExComms of Mensa and MERF (Mensa Education and Research Foundation) and (yippee!!) we can now start advertising and taking reservations!!

Thanks to all of you who have offered to help. We'll be getting a list together for tasks and matching that up to volunteers. Of course as the date draws near more help will be needed including assembling programs and registration packages prior to the event and onsite assistance. Thank you to all who have and who will help us make this the best colloquium ever held by Mensa.

Our Colloquium planning meeting on August 28^th was attended by me, Harry, Anne, Ann, Lisa, Leo, Steven, Willard, and Priscilla. The admission cost had already been submitted to the various committees of MERF and the AMC and has been approved. We came up with the following for timing and member vs. Non-member registrations:

Start	End	Member	Non-Member
Now	4/30/06	170	220
5/1/06	8/31/06	220	270
9/1/06	10/9/06	270	320
Student		220	220

Mensa members may register guests that are not members and will pay the non-member price for those attendees. The event will be aggressively advertised to the public beginning 5/1/06 in order to give Mensa members an advantage in the event of a sell out. Refunds will be made up to ten days prior to the event and we will refund the amount paid less a $15. We will accept a waiting list for non-members that are not Mensa guests prior to tickets going on sale to the general public.

Four registrations were made today. The first was Lisa Repko's followed by Leo Kellogg and Judy and Harry. All agreed that Sunday afternoons was a good time.[i.e. Sunday afternoons are good for those that Sunday afternoons are good for] There was some discussion of future agenda items, high on the list is filling the volunteer rolls and outlining the responsibilities with each roll.

After the meeting five of us went to the Macaroni Grill for dinner. Thank you to all the volunteers that are helping to make this event a success.

If you are going to shop on Amazon. com can you please use the link through the colloquium page.

And now for a fun thing Judy has come across:

SUDOKU!

Each row of nine spaces, column of nine spaces, and 3 X 3 cube contains the digits 1 through 9. No duplicates. Your task is to fill in the blanks. This particular puzzle came from

http://www.sudoku.org.uk

They used to left you go back to prior days to get an old puzzle then you could get the answer but no more… That means I don't have a solution to print. I love this job.Mensa of Northeastern New York

Admissions Test contacts:

National Test Day is October 22^nd and once again our gracious proctors have offered their services.

If you know someone who would be interested in taking the test this would be a good time to admit that you're a member and have them contract one of our proctors.

Mensa now offers two different tests that people can take to qualify for admission. If you know someone who took the test but did not get offered membership they can now take a different test offered by Mensa and given locally.

For information about taking the Mensa admissions test or about Mensa in general please contact one of our proctors:

In Albany: Joe O'Malley,

In Schenectady: Priscilla Sweet, 518/864-5366

In Troy: Charmi Miller, 518/272-1686,

In Plattsburgh: Victor Ovalle, 518/492-7659,

Please remember that our proctors are volunteering their time to give you this test, if you schedule a sessions and will not be able to attend, please let them know. You may be the only reason they set their alarm that morning.

Saturday, October 22^nd is National Test Day

Spread the word!